Quality Assurance Manager
CurrentAs a dedicated Quality Assurance Manager at The J.M. Smucker Co., I play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and quality of our pet food products. My work involves close collaboration with our manufacturing plants, where I drive food safety and quality initiatives. Here are the key aspects of my role:Leadership and Improvement Projects:I lead cross-functional improvement projects aimed at enhancing key quality metrics. These include:Cost of Quality: Implementing strategies to reduce costs.CCI Reduction: Analyzing feedback and implementing corrective actions.Defects per Million Reduction: Identifying root causes and implementing preventive measures.Non-Conforming Events Reduction: Developing processes to minimize non-conformities.By focusing on these metrics, I contribute to the overall success of our quality management system.On-Site Troubleshooting:I travel to our manufacturing sites to troubleshoot deviations and address quality-related issues firsthand. This hands-on approach allows me to identify opportunities for improvement and implement corrective actions promptly.Team Development:I work closely with plant QA managers and their teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement. Through training, mentoring, and performance feedback, I help develop skilled and motivated quality professionals.Accomplishments:Risk-Based Food Safety Escalation Policy:I revamped our Food Safety Escalation policy, transitioning it to a risk-based approach. This change ensures that critical issues receive immediate attention while minimizing unnecessary escalations.Voice of the Consumer (VOC) Process:I spearheaded the implementation of the VOC process. Through this we’ve made targeted improvements that directly impact our CCI Index and PQM numbers.Robust SSOPs:I led the development of robust SSOPs in high-risk areas of our manufacturing facilities. These procedures ensure consistent sanitation practices, contributing to product safety and quality.
